Melbourne committed a “litany of sins” late in their shock semi final loss to Carlton amid accusations the club has “wasted” two years since their premiership success.
For the second consecutive season, the Demons bowed out in straight sets – becoming the first side to achieve the unwanted feat since the current finals system was implemented.
Fox Footy’s David King was critical of the way the side “lost composure” late in the thrilling two-point loss.
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“The biggest play of the day is (Jack) Viney lifts his eyes, he has (Christian) Petracca two metres to his left … they leapfrog (Carlton’s Jacob) Weitering,” he said on SEN of Weitering’s dying stages mark that set up Blake Acres’ winning goal on Friday night.
“(Viney) doesn’t pop that handball – goes the panic surge kick.
“Max (Gawn) spoiling their own goal …. That was through for all money.
“You live and die by those little moments.”
Gerard Whateley said players committed a “litany of sins” during tense moments that didn’t “make sense”, including missed shots on goal, dump kicks and a refusal to look for the short option.
“This will haunt Melbourne – another straight sets finals loss,” Bombers great Matthew Lloyd said on The Sunday Footy Show.
“They should have won this game – they had Carlton on the ropes.
“I don’t think they’ve changed enough things (since the flag win) and the competition’s gone past them.
“The Dees lack of discipline has to be spoken about as well.
“Unforgivable moments for so many Melbourne players.”
Statistics show in their past four finals losses, only once has the side managed to kick more goals than behinds in worrying signs for coach Simon Goodwin.
Hawks and Cats great Isaac Smith warned there was a “danger” the side could now carry the mental burden of another finals failure into next season.
“The worst thing they can do is throw all the toys out and start making emotional decisions,” he said on The Sunday Footy Show.
“They made some critical errors at times where you can’t be making critical errors.
“They’ve still got a fair chunk of what they need to win a premiership (but) you’ve only got so much time … you do need to make the most of your opportunities.”
Journalist Damien Barrett accused the club of missing out on flag success when they should be at their peak.
“They have effectively wasted the two years since the premiership win,” he said.
“Max Gawn is getting older … it is a waste in that context.”
Originally published as The giant ‘waste’ that will ‘haunt’ Melbourne amid straight-sets flop